Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. We all should be somewhat
familiar with the parable of the prodigal son. A young man
full of vigor and convinced of his knowledge of worldly ways
departed from his father's house intent on trying out his wings
and throwing off the yoke of his father's rule. He soon learned
that he was not as wise as he first thought when he found himself
in a place of great need, having spent everything that his father
gave him. This young prodigal made a startling discovery that
he was a servant of his own lust when he had to enter into servitude
to a citizen of a country to which he did not belong. This
parable gives us a picture of the true sons of God. By their
own choice, owing to their harsh desire and sinful nature, they've
cast off their father's rule and rebelled against him. They
have spent and destroyed all that he gave them and sold themselves
into slavery to one who was not their father and willingly became
his bondman in the pigsty of sin. They forgot who their father
was and for all intents and purposes became like those who dwelt in
that country. Looking at them in that fallen
state, one would assume that they were as all the others who
had citizenship there. They acted the same, thought
the same, talked the same. They even smelled like the hogs
with whom they accompanied. But unbeknownst to them, they
were still loved by their father, who had a design for them that
did not include citizenship in this world, nor the lifetime
occupation of feeding and eating with hogs. When it pleased the
Father, He awakened them, brought them to their senses, and reminded
them of the glories of His house. By the miracle of grace, He made
their mind to dwell on the fact that in their Father's house
was more than enough to satisfy their desire. He brought them
on a journey back to the place which He had prepared before
they were ever born. They first thought that the idea
of making this journey was their own, and would be content occupying
the place of a servant in his house. But when they arrived,
they discovered that he was waiting for them with open arms, and
knew the exact time of their arrival, because he had marked
out their journey according to his purpose, and had sent his
Holy Spirit to bring them to him. Once they have arrived back
in His presence, they wonder why they ever departed. Now they
are made aware that it was He who paid their debts and bought
them out of slavery while they were yet wallowing in sin. Their
own nature causes them to be plagued with doubts and fears
about their standing with Him, but He never wavers. Since they
have learned the ways of this world, they need a tutor to instruct
them in the ways of that country of which they are truly citizens.
From time to time, they even consider a return to that wretched
place. Yet their father is faithful
to bring the rod of correction to them, reminding them of the
price which his dear son paid to deliver them from the bondage
of this world. This world is not their home.
They are strangers and sojourners here. For God hath not appointed
us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who
died for us, that whether we wake or sleep we should live
together with him. They have not earned it, but
rather have been given an inheritance beyond comprehension. Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according
to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved
in heaven for you. They are no longer subject to
the curse of the law, nor fearful of its condemnation. Wherefore,
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that
we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come,
we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of
God by faith in Christ Jesus. Their acceptance in that continuing
city is not theirs because of their obedience, but because
of His promise. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was,
are the children of promise. Though they find themselves living
in this dark world, they are not a part of it, nor do they
find here anything of lasting value. For our conversation is
in heaven, from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord
Jesus Christ. But ye are come unto Mount Zion,
unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge
of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling that speaketh better things than that of Abel. For
a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send an email
to forthepoor at windstream.net.